Convertible food merchandising counter construction and method

ABSTRACT

A counter construction for merchandising prepared foods comprises a support fitted with and extending above the counter and an elongated sneeze guard assembly carried by the support means above the counter top. The sneeze guard is extensible into and out of the counter to permit the assembly to be raised and lowered relative to the counter top, permitting both full service and self-service modes of operation. The sneeze guard assembly further includes other features, including an illuminating light, a shelf and an advertising/accent panel, all of which are carried by the sneeze guard assembly.

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This nonprovisional application claims the priority date of copending provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/197,355filed on Apr. 13, 2000, which is incorporated into this application by reference. The benefit of its earlier filing date is claimed under 37 C.F.R. §1.78(a)(4).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to counter constructions and methods for displaying and merchandising prepared food products in restaurants, supermarkets and similar facilities.

[0003] A variety of construction techniques have been employed in the past for counters useful in displaying and merchandising prepared foods. Generally, when the foods are to be “self-served” (i.e., placed on a plate or tray by the consumer) local and state regulations require that a sneeze guard panel be installed between the consumer and the food products. Examples of prior art sneeze guard constructions are shown in the following U.S. Pat. Nos.: 3,847,250 to Sherrill; 4,013,880 to Kennedy et al; 4,208,972 to Arend et al; and 4,892,366 to Yerman.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] This present invention is directed to a convertible food merchandising counter construction and method which provides a significant degree of flexibility to the food retailer. In particular, a food merchandising counter construction and method in accordance with this invention permits the food retailer to use a single counter construction for merchandising prepared foods in either a full service mode (with the merchandiser's employees removing the food from the food receptacles) or in the self-service mode described above. Additional flexibility in the food merchandiser's options are present when the counter construction and method of the present invention is used together with a “Hot and Cold Food Storage and Display Apparatus and Method of Manufacture” as disclosed in copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/577,450 filed on May 24, 2000, the specification and drawings of which are incorporated herein by reference. Application Ser. No. 09/577,450 is co-owned by the assignee of this application.

[0005] The ability to operate in either the full service mode or the self-service mode is achieved in the counter construction of the present invention using a counter having a bottom adapted to rest upon a support surface, opposing sides and ends extending upwardly from the bottom, with the counter including an upper serving counter top adapted to receive food retaining means. The counter construction includes support means fitted with and extending above the counter and further includes an elongated sneeze guard assembly carried by the support means and extending above the counter top. The sneeze guard assembly includes a unitary member and a transparent panel retained by the unitary member, with the transparent panel extending to a height and in a direction relative to the counter top which permits the transparent panel to function as a sneeze guard. In accordance with the present invention, the sneeze guard assembly further includes at least one of a light, a shelf, and an advertising/accent panel fitted to the unitary member.

[0006] In a preferred form of the construction for the sneeze guard assembly, the unitary member comprises an extrusion defining at least one internal channel and plural special purpose channels facing outwardly relative to the interior channel. A first one of the outwardly-facing channels is shaped and dimensioned to receive and support an interior end of the transparent sneeze guard panel, and a second of the outwardly-facing channels is shaped and dimensioned to receive one of a light, a shelf, an advertising/accent panel and a mounting plate. In a specific arrangement, the unitary extrusion member is fitted with all of these features: a light facing downwardly toward the counter top to illuminate food in the retaining means; a shelf fitted across the top of the unitary extrusion member on a side opposite the light; an advertising/accent panel fitted above the transparent panel; and a mounting plate on a side opposite the advertising/accent panel and the transparent panel for attachment with the support means.

[0007] Other specific features form a part of the preferred counter construction of this invention. These include but are not limited to a means for releasably locking the interior end of the transparent panel with the first outwardly-facing channel in a manner which permits the transparent panel to be easily engaged and disengaged from the unitary extrusion member. In one form, the releasably locking means comprises plural elongated mullions each having a first end dimensioned to extend into the first outwardly-facing channel and a second end dimensioned to extend away from the unitary member. Each mullion includes means at the second end thereof for supporting the transparent panel. A riser on one and a corresponding groove on the other of the first outwardly-facing channel and the interior end of each mullion forms a mechanism for releasably locking each mullion within the first channel.

[0008] In an alternate form, the transparent panel may be releasably locked into the first, outwardly-facing channel through the use of a sealing strip at the interior edge of the transparent panel.

[0009] As discussed above, the counter construction of the present invention is useful in both full and self-service modes. To achieve this, means are provided for extending the sneeze guard upwardly or downwardly as desired by the food merchandiser. In one arrangement, this is achieved by the use of extensible posts as the support means, with the posts extending through the counter top and being lockable in different positions so as to change the height of the sneeze guard assembly above the counter top.

[0010] The flexibility of the counter construction of the present invention is increased by the use of the unitary extrusion member as a means for forming end-to-end angular connections with adjacent unitary extrusion members, to thereby create a non-linear sneeze guard assembly useful for food merchandising installations having a variety of counter configurations, such as “island style” arrangement or the like. Examples of such configurations are shown in the “New Renaissance” promotional brochure of Load King Manufacturing Company, the assignee of this invention, which brochure is incorporated into this application by reference. Such non-linear sneeze guard assembly constructions are achieved in accordance with the present invention by using locking tabs which extend into one of the outwardly-facing channels in the end-to-end sections of the unitary extrusion member.

[0011] Many other modifications and improvements are described further below with reference to the drawing and detailed description set out next.

THE DRAWING

[0012]FIG. 1 is a right side front perspective view of a counter construction in accordance with the present invention.

[0013]FIG. 2 is a left side elevation of the counter construction shown in FIG. 1 with the bottom portion of the counter cut away, and with certain aspects of the invention illustrated with dotted lines.

[0014]FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the sneeze guard assembly of the present invention.

[0015]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the unitary extrusion member incorporated into the sneeze guard assembly of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, taken along the lines 4-4 in FIG. 1.

[0016]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the sneeze guard assembly of FIG. 1, taken along the line 5-5.

[0017]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side elevation of an alternate embodiment of the sneeze guard assembly shown in FIG. 5.

[0018]FIG. 7 is a partially cut away perspective view of a portion of the sneeze guard assembly, illustrating details of the lighting fixture feature.

[0019]FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the unitary extrusion member shown in FIG. 4 and illustrating certain aspects of the 15-- lighting fixture feature.

[0020]FIGS. 9 and 10 are partially cut away perspective views of the sneeze guard assembly further illustrating details of the lighting fixture feature.

[0021]FIG. 11 is a partially cut away perspective view of the sneeze guard assembly, showing details of the mounting plate and support post features.

[0022]FIG. 12 is a side view of the portion of the sneeze guard assembly shown in FIG. 11, further illustrating details of the mounting plate and support post features.

[0023]FIGS. 13 and 14 are side views, and FIG. 15 is a partially cut away perspective view, showing details of the feature for releasably locking the mullion and transparent panel into place.

[0024]FIG. 16 is a partially cut away side view of the advertising/accent panel feature.

[0025]FIG. 17 is a partially cut away side view of the sneeze guard assembly, illustrating the top shelf feature.

[0026] FIGS. 18-21 are top plan views of the releasable locking tab feature which permits end-to-end joinder of adjacent sections of the unitary extrusion member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] A preferred embodiment of the counter construction and method of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawing.

[0028] First noting FIGS. 1 and 2, the counter construction is referred to generally by the reference numeral 10 and comprises a counter 12 having a bottom 14 adapted to rest upon a support surface such as the floor of a restaurant or supermarket, for example. The counter 12 further includes opposing ends 16, 18 extending upwardly from the bottom 14 and opposing sides 20, 22 extending upwardly from the bottom 14 and between the opposing ends 16, 18. The counter 12 further includes a counter top 24 having a plurality of food retaining means extending therein, such as serving trays 26. As discussed above, the serving trays 26 may be adapted to dispense prepared foods in either a hot or cold state, in accordance with the aforementioned application Ser. No. 09/577,450.

[0029] A pair of support posts 34, 36 extend through the counter 12 and the counter top 24, and are mounted with corresponding hardware 28, 29 so as to be extensible into and out of the counter 12 as depicted by arrow 48 in FIGS. 1 and 2. With specific reference to FIG. 2, reference numeral 36A depicts the support post 36 in the upper, extended position while reference numeral 36B depicts the support post 36 in the retracted position. It will of course be understood that a variety of techniques may be employed to achieve the raising and lowering of the sneeze guard assembly 30; by way of example, a telescoping technique may be used.

[0030] The counter construction 10 further comprises a sneeze guard assembly referred to generally in the drawing using reference numeral 30. In accordance with this invention, the sneeze guard assembly 30 employs a unitary extrusion member 32 which is supported by upright support posts 34, 36 in a manner which is described in greater detail below with reference to FIGS. 5, 11 and 12. End caps 38, 40 are fitted at opposite ends of the unitary extrusion member 32, and plural mullions 42 are releasably locked with the extrusion member 32 in a manner described below with reference to FIGS. 5 and 13-15. The mullions 42 support a transparent sneeze guard panel 44 which comprises either an acrylic or glass. The exterior edge of the transparent panel 44 is fitted with an edge trim 46.

[0031] As is shown in the side view of FIG. 2, the counter construction 10 may be utilized in a self-service mode with the support posts 34, 36 extended in the elevated position 36A relative to the counter top 24; in this mode, customers may engage in self service of the prepared foods within the trays 26 by reaching under the transparent sneeze guard panel 44. However, if the retailer wishes to dispense the prepared food products in a full service environment using an employee to remove the food from the tray, the support posts 34, 36 may be retracted inside of the counter 12 so as to lower the sneeze guard assembly 30, as shown by dotted lines in FIG. 2 in position 36B. In this mode, the ability of the customer to reach the food product is restricted.

[0032] Reference is now made to the exploded view of FIG. 3, which is useful in identifying the various additional features and elements of the sneeze assembly 30, which features and elements are described in great detail below with reference to FIGS. 5-17. Additional elements shown in FIG. 3 include a light channel plate 31 which extends the length of the sneeze guard assembly 30 in order to cover the electrical wires running between light fixtures 39. Plates 41 cover portions of the light fixtures 39 against possible shock hazard. Advertising/accent strip 43 is mountable to the unitary extrusion member 32 as described further below.

[0033]FIG. 4 is a cross section of one embodiment of the unitary extrusion member 32, which contains risers, walls, tabs, grooves, indents and flanges identified with both odd and even reference numerals in FIG. 4 from wall 52 to alignment groove 110 to form a single interior channel and five outwardly-facing special purpose channels extending along the length of the unitary extrusion member. By way of example, the extrusion member may be fabricated of aluminum although other materials are suitable.

[0034] The six channels are identified by reference numerals A, B, C, D, E and F in FIG. 4 and have the following functions:

[0035] A - light fixture channel

[0036] B - inner wire channel

[0037] C - sneeze guard and mullion support channel

[0038] D - advertising sign/accent strip channel

[0039] E - shelving and connector channel

[0040] F - post mounting plate channel

[0041] As shown in FIG. 4, lighting fixture channel A is defined by walls 82, 86 and 96 and includes indent 83 and flange 94 adapted to engage the lighting fixture cover plates 41. Flanges 84 and 100 together with tab 102 are dimensioned to engage the channel plate 31 and an optional lens cover (not shown). Interior channel B is defined by walls 54, 62, 72, 86 and 96, and is designed to act as a channel for electrical wiring serving the lighting fixtures 39. The sneeze guard/mullion channel C is defined by walls 62, 70 and 72 and includes riser 74 dimensioned to engage a groove 75 in the mullion 42 (FIGS. 13-14) for purposes of releasably locking the mullion into the channel C. The walls 70, 62 and 72 define a narrow back chamber 73 which engages the interior end of the mullion 42 (again referring to FIGS. 13-15). The advertising/accent strip channel D is defined by walls 60, 64 and 70, and flanges 66, 68 so as to hold advertising/accent strip 43 in channel D as shown in greater detail at FIGS. 5 and 16. Shelf mounting channel E is defined by channel sides 56, 58 and wall 54 for purposes of supporting a shelf 49 and shelf stanchion 50 (FIGS. 5 and 17). The bottom portion of channel E also receives locking tab 114 as described with reference to FIGS. 18-21. Mounting plate channel F is defined by wall 96 and flanges 98, 108, and is dimensioned to receive mounting plates 35, 37 which are attached by fasteners 47 extending through fastener guide 104 (see both FIGS. 4 and 5). The unitary extrusion member 32 further includes additional screw locator grooves 55, 88 and 92, screw holes 65, 78 and 110, alignment slots 80 and 106 and a second recess 90 for locking tab 116 (FIGS. 18-21). Recess 90 also serves as a wiring through for conductors 112 between adjacent light fixtures 39. An unnumbered recess at the inside of channel D also is available to receive a locking tab if needed for structural integrity.

[0042]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the unitary extrusion member 32 as it is incorporated into the sneeze guard assembly 30. In this cross-sectional view, the placement of channel plate 31, lighting fixtures 39 and cover plates 41 relative to the various portions of the extrusion member 32 can be seen, together with flourescent light tubes 51 which extend along a portion of the length of the elongated extrusion member 32 between light fixtures 39. The mounting plate 35 is positioned against wall 96 of the extrusion 32, and is attachable with fasteners 47 extending into screw groove 104. Shelf 49 with corresponding stanchion 50 extends into channel E, as previously described. Advertising/accent strip 43 is positioned within channel D, and mullions 42 are fixed in channel C, with the interior end of the mullion positioned in chamber 73.

[0043] An alternate form of construction for the transparent sneeze guard panel 44 is shown in FIG. 6; in this arrangement, mullions are not employed. Instead, the transparent panel 44 (which in this example preferably comprises a non-breakable acrylic) is provided with a sealing strip 74A at the interior edge of the panel, so as to be lockable within chamber 73.

[0044] Additional details of the counter construction 10 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 7-17; however, occasional reference back to FIGS. 1-5 will assist in understanding these details.

[0045] Turning now to FIGS. 7 and 8, the cover plates 41 are attached with the unitary extrusion member 32 in a facile manner by first extending one side of each plate underneath tab 94 and then pushing the other side into slot 83. Fasteners may then be extended through the fixture 39 and cover plate 41 into screw groove 88 (FIG. 8). Thereafter, the light channel plate 31 may be pushed into place by engaging tab 102 and flanges 84, 100, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. It will of course be appreciated that the electrical wiring 112 may be passed through the support posts 34, 36 so as to prevent any potential electrical hazard to customers or employees.

[0046] Now noting FIGS. 11 and 12, the mounting plates 35, 37 may be attached into extrusion channel F by engagement under flanges 100, 108 and extension of fasteners through each mounting plate into screw groove 104.

[0047] As shown in FIGS. 13-15, the mullions 42 provide a means for releasably locking the interior end of the transparent panel 44 within channel C. This is accomplished using riser 74 within channel C and groove 75 on the underside of the interior end of each mullion 42. By extending that interior end of each mullion 42 into chamber 73, the groove 75 is engaged with riser 74 to lock each mullion 42 in place. Each mullion 42 includes a U-shaped bracket 45 at the exterior end thereof, which engages the edge strip 46 of the transparent panel 44. It will thus be understood from a review of FIGS. 5 and 13-15 that the mullions 42 may be initially releasably locked into place, and then the transparent panel 44 are mounted onto the mullions in a rapid, facile manner by pushing the interior end of the panel 44 into the channel C, and then sliding the panel 44 forwardly into engagement with the brackets 45.

[0048] As was discussed above, the use of the unitary extrusion member 32 permits a counter construction 10 which employs a sneeze guard assembly 30 in a construction other than just along an elongated length. An example of such an arrangement is described next with reference to FIGS. 18-21. In this arrangement, two sections of the unitary extruded member 32 having 45 degree end cuts are joined together to form a right angle construction. This is achieved by employing two locking tabs 114, 116; the locking tabs are preferably flat metal stock which in this example forms a right angle, although other angular displacements are suitable for non-right angle changes in direction of the sneeze guard assembly 30. Locking tab 114 extends into channel E of the unitary extrusion member 32 (FIG. 4) and is fastened with screws 118 to screw groove 55 at the bottom of channel E (compare FIGS. 4 and 21). Locking tab 116 extends into recess 90 and is attached to screw groove 92 (see FIG. 4). In this manner, various angular configurations of the sneeze guard assembly may be achieved.

[0049] While the present invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes can be made in the construction and methods described without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A counter construction for merchandising prepared foods, the construction comprising: a counter having a bottom adapted to rest upon a support surface, opposing sides and ends extending upwardly from the bottom, the counter further including an upper serving counter top adapted to receive food retaining means; support means fitted with and extending above the counter; and an elongated sneeze guard assembly carried by the support means and extending above the counter top, the sneeze guard assembly including a unitary member and a transparent panel retained by the unitary member, the transparent panel extending to a height and in a direction relative to the counter top which permits the transparent panel to function as a sneeze guard, the sneeze guard assembly further including at least one of a light, a shelf and an advertising/accent panel fitted to the unitary member.
 2. The counter construction recited in claim 1 wherein the sneeze guard assembly comprises both a light and a shelf fitted to the unitary member.
 3. The counter construction recited in claim 1 wherein the sneeze guard assembly comprises both a light and an advertising/accent panel fitted to the unitary member.
 4. The counter construction recited in claim 1 wherein the sneeze guard assembly comprises both a shelf and an advertising/accent panel fitted to the unitary member.
 5. The counter construction recited in claim 1 wherein the sneeze guard assembly comprises all of a light, a shelf, and an advertising/accent panel fitted to the unitary member.
 6. The counter construction recited in claim 1 wherein the unitary member comprises an extrusion defining at least one internal channel and plural special purpose channels facing outwardly relative to the interior channel, a first one of the outwardly-facing channels shaped and dimensioned to receive and support an interior end of the transparent sneeze guard panel, and a second outwardly-facing channel shaped and dimensioned to receive one of a light, a shelf, an advertising/accent panel and a mounting plate.
 7. The counter construction recited in claim 6 further comprising means for releasably locking the interior end of the transparent panel within the first outwardly-facing channel.
 8. The counter construction recited in claim 7 wherein the releasably locking means comprises: plural elongated mullions, each having a first end dimensioned to extend into the first outwardly-facing channel and a second end dimensioned to extend away from the unitary member; means along the second end of each mullion for supporting the transparent panel; and a riser on one and a corresponding groove on the other of the first outwardly-facing channel and the interior end of each mullion, the riser and groove releasably locking each mullion within the first outwardly-facing channel.
 9. The counter construction recited in claim 7 wherein the releasably locking means comprises a sealing strip along an interior edge of the transparent sneeze guard panel, the sealing strip dimensioned to retain the interior end of the transparent panel within the first outwardly-facing channel.
 10. The counter construction recited in claim 6 wherein the second outwardly-facing channel comprises a light-retention channel with light fixture means positioned therein, the light-retention channel positioned and dimensioned such that a light therein will illuminate the counter top.
 11. The counter construction recited in claim 6 wherein the second outwardly-facing channel comprises a shelf-retention channel with a shelf having a shelf stanchion extending into the shelf-retention channel.
 12. The counter construction recited in claim 6 wherein the second outwardly-facing channel comprises an advertising/accent retention channel above the first outwardly-facing channel, with an advertising/accent strip positioned in the second channel.
 13. The counter construction recited in claim 6 wherein the second outwardly-facing channel comprises a mounting plate retention channel with a mounting plate releasably contained therein, with the mounting plate fitted to the support means.
 14. The counter construction recited in claim 6 wherein the unitary member comprises the second and a third outwardly-facing channel, including: a light-retention channel with light fixture means positioned therein, the light-retention channel positioned and dimensioned to illuminate the counter top; and a mounting plate retention channel with a mounting plate releasably contained therein, the mounting plate fixed to the support means.
 15. The counter construction recited in claim 14 further comprising a fourth outwardly-facing channel comprising a shelf-retention channel with shelves having a shelf stanchion extending into the shelf-retention channel.
 16. The counter construction recited in claim 15 further comprising a fifth outwardly-facing channel comprising an advertising/accent retention channel above the first outwardly-facing channel, with an advertising/accent strip positioned in the second channel.
 17. The counter construction recited in claim 1 wherein the support means is extensible into and out of the counter, thereby permitting the sneeze guard assembly to be raised and lowered relative to the counter top.
 18. A counter construction for selectively merchandising prepared foods in either a full-service mode or a self-service mode, the construction comprising: a counter having a bottom adapted to rest upon a support surface, opposing sides and ends extending upwardly from the bottom, the counter further including an upper serving counter top adapted to receive food retaining means; support means carried by and extensible into and out of the counter; an elongated sneeze guard assembly carried by the support means and extending above the counter top, the sneeze guard assembly including a unitary member and a transparent panel retained by the unitary member, the transparent panel extending to a height and in a direction relative to the counter top which permits the transparent panel to function as a sneeze guard; and wherein extension of the support means into and out of the counter permits the sneeze guard assembly to be raised and lowered relative to the counter top.
 19. The counter construction recited in claim 18 wherein the unitary member comprises an extrusion defining plural channels, including a first outwardly-facing channel shaped and dimensioned to receive and support an interior end of the transparent sneeze guard panel, and a second outwardly-facing channel shaped and dimensioned to receive one of a light, a shelf, an advertising/accent panel and a mounting plate.
 20. The counter construction recited in claim 19 wherein the second outwardly-facing channel comprises means in combination with locking tabs for coupling together end-to-end lengths of the extruded unitary member.
 21. The counter construction recited in claim 20 wherein the second outwardly-facing channel comprises a shelf retention channel dimensioned to receive a shelf having a shelf stanchion extending into the shelf-retention channel.
 22. A method for constructing and using a modular counter for merchandising food in either a full-service mode or a self-service mode, the method comprising: constructing a counter having an upper counter top with food retaining means therein; fitting the counter with support means and a sneeze guard assembly carried by the support means, the sneeze guard assembly including a transparent panel; dimensioning the sneeze guard assembly and the transparent panel such that the panel extends to a height and in a direction relative to the counter top so as to permit the transparent panel to function as a sneeze guard; constructing the sneeze guard assembly and the support means such that the sneeze guard assembly may be raised or lowered in relation to the counter top; and wherein the sneeze guard assembly may be raised when the counter is to be used in a self-service mode and may be lowered when the counter is to be used in a full-service mode.
 23. The method recited in claim 22 further comprising the steps of: constructing the sneeze guard assembly with an elongated unitary extrusion; and supporting the transparent panel with the unitary extrusion.
 24. The method recited in claim 23 further comprising the step of fitting the elongated unitary extrusion with lighting means for illuminating food in the food retaining means. 